Kate Middleton and Prince William, The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, are now suing the French magazine which published semi-nude photographs of Middleton on Friday.

The Royal couple was understandably shaken and outraged after learning that a paparazzi had secretly snapped intrusive photographs of the Duchess sunbathing at a private estate while on vacation with Prince William in France. Although initial reports acknowledged that the pair was contemplating legal action, it has now been confirmed that they filed a lawsuit against Closer magazine on Friday.

"Legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France," a spokesperson for St. James Palace said in a statement.

France's Closer magazine published the scandalous photos alongside the headline "World Exclusive; Kate and William in Provence: Oh My God!" Some of the text included in the lewd article reads "Discover the incredible pictures of the future Queen of England as you've never seen her before ... and as you will never see her again!"

Laurence Pieau, the editor of the French publication, stood by her decision to publish the photos of Middleton, 30, despite receiving widespread criticism from around the world.

"One shouldn't dramatize these pictures. The reactions are a little disproportionate," Pieau said in a video response posted online.

"They are visible from the street ... [the photos] are full of joy and not degrading," she explained. "Honestly I don't know of a single celebrity magazine in the world that would not have run these pictures ... one shouldn't be hypocritical!"

Prince William, 30, is reportedly furious that his wife of over one year has been exposed to the public and some critics have drawn comparisons to that of his late mother, Princess Diana. She was often hounded by the media up until her untimely death in 1997.

"Their Royal Highnesses have been hugely saddened to learn that a French publication and a photographer have invaded their privacy in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner," a representative stated for the couple earlier today.

The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to The Duke and Duchess for being so," it went on," an initial statement from St. James Palace read.

"Their Royal Highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house. It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them," the statement went on.